STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1201-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2992

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 2992, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to convene an Advisory Committee on Mental Health Code Review beginning July 1, 2025, and every ten years thereafter.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Corporate Board of Directors; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from The Queen's Health System.

Your Committee finds that the chapters of the Hawaii Revised Statutes relating to mental health and involuntary transport, examination, hospitalization, and treatment have been amended in a piecemeal manner over the past several decades, leading to a lack of clarity and inconsistency. Your Committee further finds that establishing a mechanism to ensure regular and systematic review of the State's mental health laws is essential to maintaining the coherence and effectiveness of those laws. The Advisory Committee on Mental Health Code Review that is proposed by this measure will advance the State's overall goal of improving mental health in the State, particularly for those who are unable to help themselves.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Health to convene the advisory committee beginning July 1, 2024, rather than July 1, 2025;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2992, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2992, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair